[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 182 (Friday, September 19, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 49188-49189]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-24844]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[TX-21-1-7345b; FRL-5894-5]


Approval and Promulgation of State Implementation Plan: Employee 
Commute Options (Employer Trip Reduction) Program for Texas

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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[[Page 49189]]

SUMMARY: This action proposes to remove the Texas Employee Commute 
Options (ECO) rule from the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision 
submitted by the State of Texas for the purpose of establishing an ECO 
program (also known as the Employer Trip Reduction program). This 
action will relieve, if approved, the State from mandatory 
implementation of the ECO program in the Houston-Galveston ozone 
nonattainment area. The authority for this removal action is based on 
Public Law 104-70 and the subsequent EPA policy issued on April 23, 
1996.
    In the Final Rules Section of this Federal Register, EPA is 
removing the Texas ECO rule from the SIP as a direct final rulemaking 
without prior proposal because the EPA views this action as 
noncontroversial and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed 
rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final rule. If no 
adverse comments are received in response to that direct final rule, no 
further activity is contemplated in relation to this proposed rule. If 
EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn 
and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent 
final rule based on this proposed rule. The EPA will not institute a 
second comment period on this action. Any parties interested in 
providing comments on this action should do so at this time.

DATES: Comments on this proposed rule must be received in writing and 
postmarked by October 20, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments must be submitted to Mr. J. Behnam, P. E., Air 
Planning Section (6PDL), Multimedia Planning and Permitting Division, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, 
Texas 75202.
    Copies of the State ECO withdrawal request are available for 
inspection during normal business hours at the following locations. 
Interested persons wanting to examine these documents should make an 
appointment with the appropriate office at least 24 hours before the 
visiting day.
    Air Planning Section (6PDL), Multimedia Planning and Permitting 
Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, 
Dallas, Texas 75202, Telephone: (214) 665-7214.
    Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, 12124 Park 35 
Circle, Austin, Texas 78753.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. J. Behnam, P. E., AirPlanning 
Section (6PDL), Multimedia Planning and Permitting Division, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, 
Texas 75202, Telephone (214) 665-7247.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: See the information provided in the direct 
final rule which is located in the Rules Section of this Federal 
Register.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide, 
Hydrocarbons, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Volatile organic compounds.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q.

    Dated: August 12, 1997.
Jerry Clifford,
Acting Regional Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-24844 Filed 9-18-97; 8:45 am]
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